Discovery of the deep South of Morocco

Day 1

Marrakech – Telouet – Aït Benhaddou

By the tizi n’Tichka (pass at 2260 m) and its tortured mountain landscapes, plummeting on the southern slope of the Atlas. Then, we continue to the large valley leading to Telouet (1780 m). Visit the fortress (kasbah) of Telouet, citadel of Glaoui and its tribe until the late 50’s. From these mountains, the power of the Glaoui spreads throughout Moroco and even shook Europe. Greatness and decadence… Continuation through the beautiful valley of Ounila, kasbahs, greenery… Beautiful walk in the valley crossing villages in the red mud, following the footsteps of Jacques Majorelle.
Night close to Aït Benhaddou.
• Walking time: 2 h.
• Transfer: 4 to 5 h.
• Lodging: guesthouse (ancient kasbah).

Day 2

Aït Benhaddou – Saredrar

The ksar of Aït Benhaddou, one of the most famous of Southern Moroco, classified as World Heritage of Unesco. Its exceptional decor has inspired many filmmakers, among who is David Lean with the film Lawrence of Arabia. We feel more and more the South… The beautiful Draa valley, its adobe villages, a walk to Agdz, for a panoramic view of the palm grove and jebel Kissani. N’Kob, on the south piedmont of Sarho, and it’s the arrival to Saredrar in the middle of nowhere.
Settling in a converted Saharan camp: traditional Berber tents, beds, showers, toilets, restaurant.
• Walking time: 2 h.
• Transfer: 4 à 5 h.
• Lodging : fully furnished camp.

Day 3

Saredrar – Foum Tizza – trekking in the desert

Leaving the camp, discovery of the underground irrigation channels. Crossing the Saredrar : the ground is littered with millions of fossils in the heart of a lunar landscape, pre-Islamic mounds and remains of prehistoric kilns of copper metallurgy. Then, imposing dunes appear, pitted with rocks : a dreamy place, exactly what you look for in the Sahara. After a good restorative tea, in the evening, crossing the ridges of Foum Tizza, attacked by the dunes on all sides.
Camping in the dunes at the foot of the ridges (the camp was installed before our arrival, blankets are provided).
• Walking time: 4 to 5 h.
• Lodging : fully furnished camp.

Day 4

Foum Tizza – Todra canyons

Two hour walk in the desert, then return to the minibus and go north. We leave the desert little by little to join the Atlas Mountains passing by the villages inhabited by the sedentary Aït Atta, a good part of which still practices transhumance (spring and autumn). Lunch at Alnif, after the rocky bar that is between desert and mountain. Walk in the famous Todra gorges, whose cliffs seem to rise to infinity. A different world !
Night in a beautiful kasbah that had once belonged to the head of Tineghir, now restored to receive passing guests.
• Walking time: 3 to 4 h.
• Transfer: 2 h.
• Lodging: kasbah.

Day 5

Todra canyons- valley of Roses/Dadès – Boutaghrar

After a breakfast in the peace of the mountain, we leave Tineghir to join the gorges of Dades. Walk down the valley, then continue to Kalaat M’Gouna and the valley of Roses to reach Boutaghrar. Complete change of scenery, now we are among the villagers of Aït Atta. The valley of Roses (valley of Dades) offers a contrast between the arid mountains, luxurious gardens and fortified villages among the peaks of red rock. Timeless, this region, witness to the richness of the Atlas and the Berber culture, remains intact.
Night at the Rose valley.
• Walking time: 2 h.
• Transfer: 3 à 4 h.
• Lodging: kasbah.

Day 6

Dadès valley- Marrakech

We take the road of One thousand Kasbahs : oasis and palm groves. Crossing through Ouarzazate then, by the tizi n’Tichka, return to Marrakech in the afternoon after a final Berber lunch in a local restaurant.

The superb valley of the Kasbahs, from Telouet to Aït Benhaddou, the ridge of Foum Tiza rising in the middle of an ocean of dunes, the vastness of the desert and the palm groves around the Draa valley. Then, the deep gorges of Dades and Todra, the nestled villages at the foot of the red cliffs, the valley of Roses. A very beautiful hike in the Moroccan desert, to explore the wide spaces and the superb Saharan landscapes.

Highlights

The palm groves, kasbahs, the world of the dunes and wide open spaces… THE trip to discover the south…

Useful information

What’s included in the price
– All land transport as described in the program in reserved vehicles for the group (minibus).
– Lodging as described, in a kasbah (3 nights), in a tent (2 nights furnished camp), based on 2 people per room, tent.
– Full meal plan during the trip.
– An Aventure Berbère guide, from Morocco and English-speaking.
– The assistance from a local team (drivers, cook).
– A first aid kit for the group.

What’s not included in the price
– Single supplement.
– Drinks.
– Gratuities.
– Repatriation insurance.